Is "The Message?" cynical?

Discuss the June 2015 book of the month, "The Message?" by Avam Hale.
Post Reply
User avatar
Scott
Site Admin
Posts: 4065
Joined: 31 Jul 2006, 23:00
Favorite Author: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Currently Reading: The Unbound Soul
Bookshelf Size: 340
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scott.html
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 960
fav_author_id: 248825

Is "The Message?" cynical?

Post by Scott »

[This is a discussion about the June 2015 book of the month, "The Message?" by Avam Hale.]

Do you think the Avam Hale paints a very cynical portrait of our real world using his story?

I would describe the story as anti-politics in a way. However, I do think the real likable character Leah, and many of those who kindly help her, balance out the cynicism of the story. I think Hale's story demonstrates how easily messages and intents get lost and corrupted, and how politics and the desire for power corrupt both those and people, but at the heart of that concept of corruption is--thus--the feeling that there tends to be something worthy in each of us that can be corrupted; You cannot ruin poop. What do you think?
"That virtue we appreciate is as much ours as another's. We see so much only as we possess." - Henry David Thoreau

"Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." Virgil, The Aeneid
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Post by bookowlie »

Very insightful post. I agree the story gave more than a few digs at politics, particularly political operatives. It's so true that messages can get lost and corrupted once they are publicized. In a weird way, this story reminded me of innocent people who have quintuplets or become accidental heroes. Once their story is publicized, different people start swooping down from the media with their own agendas.
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
Nathrad Sheare
Posts: 900
Joined: 15 Nov 2013, 05:28
Favorite Author: Hawthorne and Poe
Favorite Book: The Scarlet Letter
Currently Reading: Too much
Bookshelf Size: 20
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nathrad-sheare.html
Latest Review: "No Poverty Between the Sheets" by Pauline Kiely

Post by Nathrad Sheare »

I think the theme of God has been twisted and chopped up quite a bit over the centuries. Many unscriptural ideas have been accepted into popular culture as a result, and it makes what happens to the poor protagonist here all too imaginable.

Your post, Scott, is right on point. Appreciated reading it. ;)
Latest Review: "No Poverty Between the Sheets" by Pauline Kiely
User avatar
zanderlyrose
Posts: 74
Joined: 31 May 2015, 17:31
Bookshelf Size: 20
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zanderlyrose.html
Latest Review: "Sweet Sleep" by Kim Cormack
Reading Device: B00BWYQ9YE

Post by zanderlyrose »

Yes I do. I think it is also an accurate portrayal on how so many would turn a message that says to not be self focused, and use ti to promote their own agendas.
Latest Review: "Sweet Sleep" by Kim Cormack
User avatar
Apruitt
Posts: 6
Joined: 14 Jun 2015, 19:28
Currently Reading: The Message?
Bookshelf Size: 16
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-apruitt.html
Reading Device: B00I15SB16

Post by Apruitt »

I think that the book is very cynical. I know that many of us get fed up with politic, but this book portrayed politics in general as the villain. I think that we have to have hope that things can get better. I would like to know more about this author to see what, if anything in his past gave him such a poor opinion of politicians. Then, again, if may have been nothing more than watching the nightly news (does that make me a cynic like Hale?)
User avatar
Momlovesbooks
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 328
Joined: 13 Apr 2015, 12:49
Currently Reading: A Book for Oreo
Bookshelf Size: 253
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-momlovesbooks.html
Latest Review: Winter's Kiss by H.L. Hines

Post by Momlovesbooks »

I think Scott's post hit the nail on the head. When someone is thrust into the spotlight, the media begins to twist things to their benefit. Lots of people seem to have ulterior motives to the things they do, so it is refreshing to find someone who is truly a selfless person. I think I was drawn to Leah's honesty and innocence even though she had a checkered past and wasn't really "innocent" to the ways of the world.
User avatar
cgoss74
Posts: 61
Joined: 15 Jul 2015, 18:24
Favorite Author: Danielle Steel
Currently Reading: Follow You Home
Bookshelf Size: 236
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cgoss74.html
Latest Review: "A Better Part of Heaven" by Mike Lee
Reading Device: B00GDQDRPK
fav_author_id: 3250

Post by cgoss74 »

I have mixed feelings on this. I am extremely dissatisfied with where our nation is headed politically and civilly but I don't believe it is all the politicians faults. As a nation, we elected them into office. We gave them the power to put us where we are today, we have chosen to stray from our religious convictions whatever they may be for us individually. I know not all of us believe in a God but most of us believe in some sort of something and we have given up on those beliefs as a nation. After 9/11 we were never more united as a nation than we were after that tragedy but we have all forgotten about what brought us together as a nation. It was a belief in something greater. We should strive to get back to that as a nation, God or whatever you choose to believe in can help do that. So cynical, no maybe more extreme than we currently are but not by far if we keep headed the way we are and do not find a way to unite as a common nation again.
Latest Review: "A Better Part of Heaven" by Mike Lee
Mntgrl1969
Posts: 43
Joined: 31 Dec 2015, 18:26
Favorite Author: Patricia Cornwell
Currently Reading: Free Fish Friday
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mntgrl1969.html
Reading Device: 1400697484
Publishing Contest Votes: 12
fav_author_id: 2999

Post by Mntgrl1969 »

I feel the same as "momlovesbooks" about Leah's innocence and her ability to stay the course of her beliefs whether she was religious or not she did not let the "cynicism" of the world around her corrupt her true being. I enjoyed Leah and the people who truly helped her as opposed to those who lied as to who they were and there cynicism to just letting Leah spread her message.
User avatar
powergirl
Posts: 158
Joined: 31 Oct 2017, 09:54
Currently Reading: The One
Bookshelf Size: 59
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by powergirl »

I think this book is cynical because people are only interested by power ans even that there is God existing and being the zone who allow things happen to them.
"To be or not to be that's the question" William Shakespeare
User avatar
Surabhi Rani
In It Together VIP
Posts: 1848
Joined: 11 Feb 2017, 22:23
Currently Reading: Demonslayer
Bookshelf Size: 1880
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-surabhi-rani.html
Latest Review: How To Decorate Cookies With Your Kids in an Afternoon by Micah Rhodes
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Surabhi Rani »

The overall impression that the story gives is that of a generous worldview in our minds. Leah Warner's success in her mission to propagate the message of God and marriage are optimistic facts. I couldn't relate much to the death of the guard as well as her helper Gail, while serving her mission though! I feel doubtful about the victory of truth.
User avatar
MsH2k
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 4723
Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
Favorite Book: Crushing
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 366
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris

Post by MsH2k »

We do live in a cynical world. I think there is a part of human nature that will always battle with the draw of corruption. I was glad that Leah’s character stayed true to delivering the message.
"Knowing what must be done does away with fear."
Rosa Parks
Post Reply

Return to “"The Message?" by Avam Hale”